LAWTON - How in the world can you build a move-in ready house from the ground up in one week?
Lots of volunteers, that’s how!
By working in shifts, Lawton-Fort Sill Habitat for Humanity and ambitious teams of volunteers working under the supervision of certified homebuilders were able to come together to build two-bedroom energy-efficient homes within a week.
While it has been a while since the last week-long, round-the-clock homebuilding event, called ‘Blood Spilled’ took place, Habitat for Humanity Assistant Director Jenny Breeden remembers those challenges and how everything came together to build homes for deserving families.
“Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful idea,” says Breeden. “It’s great for members of the community to work together to provide housing for those in need. We’ve had our soldiers, firefighters, and volunteer groups all lend a hand in several projects over the years; their hard work really makes a difference.”
Breeden has been part of Lawton-Fort Sill’s Habitat for Humanity since it opened in 1992. She explains that the program is a “hand up, not a handout”; potential homeowners must go through a thorough application process for the interest-free mortgage. Accepted applicants put $1,500 down to be used as an escrow account to cover taxes, insurance and other fees. They also contribute an average of 300 hours of sweat equity. Those hours are earned by working on the house or by volunteering with community service projects. Hours may also be donated.
“Most homes we build are two- or three-bedroom single-family homes, depending on family size,” said Breeden. “They are well-insulated, energy-efficient and come with central heating and air, and new appliances.”
Building on the vision of farmer and Biblical scholar Clarence Jordan, in 1968, Millard and Linda Fuller cultivated the idea of building safe, affordable homes for families in need.
The Fullers then took the concept to Africa in 1973, and then returned to Georgia to form the organization’s headquarters in Americus, Ga., three years later.
Georgia native and former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Roslynn Carter have been proponents of the organization since 1984.
Habitat ReStore Building Supply resells new and used home improvement items at a fraction of regular retail prices. Local contractors and home improvement stores regularly donate flooring, roofing, plumbing and electrical supplies to ReStore.
They also receive appliances and furniture to be sold at the ReStore showroom. Used items are inspected and refurbished if necessary.
“We receive goods all the time,” said Office Manager Ethel Koen. “Most donations come from remodeling projects, store closeouts, furniture stores and big building projects. Our most loyal customers own rental properties and come in to see what’s new.”
HOME OWNERSHIP
APPLICATIONS
Lawton-Fort Sill Habitat for Humanity and Habitat Restore Building Supply are located at 1006 SE E Avenue in Lawton. Home ownership applications are managed at the local level.
Habitat for Humanity is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Since its inception in 1976, the organization has helped 22 million people build or improve the place they call home.
Donations may be made online at www.habitat.org/donate.
For more information, call Lawton-Fort Sill Habitat for Humanity at (580) 250-1700.